Cannonville
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Cannonville

Cannonville

Tiny Utah ranching town on Scenic Byway 12, near Kodachrome Basin and Paria Canyon

Cannonville is a tiny ranching settlement in Garfield County, Utah, sitting along the famous Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Escalante. The town itself is minimal, but its location makes it a practical stop — Kodachrome Basin State Park is just a few miles south, and the Paria River canyon system begins nearby, attracting hikers and photographers.

Most travellers pass through on their way between Bryce Canyon National Park to the northwest and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the east. A handful of small lodges and a visitor center serve the area.

Guide

Getting There

Cannonville is 26 miles east of Panguitch on Scenic Byway 12 and 11 miles east of the Bryce Canyon National Park entrance. There is no public transport. A car is essential. The nearest major airport is St. George Regional Airport (150 miles southwest) or Salt Lake City International Airport (260 miles north). Most visitors arrive from either Bryce Canyon or from Escalante to the east.

The road through Cannonville (Scenic Byway 12) is paved and maintained, but the side roads into Kodachrome Basin and along the Cottonwood Canyon Road are unpaved and can be impassable after rain or snowfall. Check road conditions at the Kanab BLM visitor center or with the Utah Department of Transportation before heading onto dirt roads.

Guide

Things to Do

Cannonville is a base rather than a destination in itself. The surrounding landscape — Kodachrome Basin State Park, the Paria River canyon system, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — is some of the most dramatically beautiful terrain in the American Southwest. The appeal here is entirely outdoor: hiking, photography, and exploring an extraordinarily remote and colourful canyon country.